Chelsea is in ongoing discussions with the Premier League to avoid a points deduction following alleged breaches of financial fair play (FFP) regulations during Roman Abramovich’s ownership of the club, according to multiple reports.
Abramovich purchased Chelsea in 2003 and invested a significant portion of his wealth into the club over the next 20 years, helping the Blues secure five Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies. However, he is now accused of circumventing FFP rules during his tenure to facilitate that success.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Abramovich was forced to sell the club, which was eventually acquired for £2.5bn by BlueCo, a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. The new owners discovered “potentially incomplete financial reporting” upon reviewing the club’s accounts.
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Leaked documents published by The Guardian in November 2023 revealed that these irregularities are linked to secret payments made during transfers for Eden Hazard (2012), Willian, and Samuel Eto’o (both 2013). Allegedly, an associate of former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte also benefited from these unreported payments, designed to bypass FFP regulations.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters described the revelations as “historic” in August. If proven, these breaches could result in a points deduction, similar to penalties faced by Everton and Nottingham Forest for overspending. However, The Times reports that Chelsea is negotiating with the Premier League to avoid this severe penalty, hoping to resolve the issue with a financial fine instead.
The Telegraph claims that talks are well advanced, with insiders confident the club will avoid losing points. Chelsea’s defense rests on the new owners’ commitment to transparency, as the irregularities were flagged during due diligence prior to the sale and reported to the FA, Premier League, and UEFA.
When the sale occurred, BlueCo set aside £150m to cover potential fines for these alleged FFP breaches. Hazard was signed from Lille for around £32m, while Willian (£30m) and Eto’o (free transfer) joined from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013. Allegations suggest that payments to “Russian entities” were made for the latter two deals, separate from any transfer fees.
The Times reports that discussions are ongoing, with an outcome expected before the end of March, while The Telegraph suggests a resolution could come within the next few weeks.